Hey you drummer-guys !!
Yes I am new in the forum and have never heard of it before.
But: I played the drumset 11 years now and all by self-education.
So i ve tried perhaps twenty books and dvds ... and this are the best to start with and later on to go on with ( in my oppinion and in oppinion of lot of other drummers)

First : go to Vic-firth homepage an dowload the 40 rudiments videos for free. learn all and keep on playing them (try them with your feets too )

Best Books and DVD s (from beginning to advanced) :

1. G.L. Stone Stick Control for the snaredrummer (try to play many of the exercices with feet as well and share the strokes on the drumset)
2. G.L. Stone Accents and Rebounds for the snare drummer (try to play many of the exercices with feet as well and share the strokes on the drumset)

NAME: Alfred's Drum Method Book 1STAR RATING:
#####WORDED RATING:
Covers and answers many begining questions.TARGET AUDIENCE:
Beginers of all levelsPUBLISHED BY:
Alfred PublishingDESCRIPTION:
This book covers all the very begining topics. Although billed as a Snare drum book, it covers what we all should know. Time signatures, reading the notes and their values. Lessons are laid out in a very orderly fashion all building from the previous page and setting the player up for the next page. The solo pages can be very long and tedious but the lessons are very well earned. They help to reinforce lessons learned on previous pages.
The book comes as 2 different versions, With and without DVD. I would suggest saving the few extra dolars for the DVD version. Very dated and droning. Highlights the solo pages well but doesnt have any more meat in it that the book doesnt explain very well to begin with.

NAME:
complete learn to play DRUMS manual by craig lauritsenSTAR RATING:
##### ++WORDED RATING:
highly progressive from basics building up in what i consider to be an excellent balanced and thoughtful curriculum to upper intermediate levels.TARGET AUDIENCE:
Beginer to professional levelPUBLISHED BY:
L.T.P publishing pty ltdDESCRIPTION:
224 pages and two discs. this really is a manual. i use it as a drum teacher. particularly good is its drum reading lessons. it is blocked into bite sized lessons which are ideal for the self taught drummer or a teacher to use.
typically it runs each lesson like so:

- introduction to a rhythmic figure (eg the dotted 8th) with 16 variations and placements and counting techniques (with eg tracks on the disc to ensure you are accurate)
- a 16 bar sight reading exercise incorporating the figure with previous lessons.
- up to twenty written and tracked grooves that incorporate the figure (including fills that use it)
- finally a short (8 - 10 bar) solo using the figure. (an excellent homework assignment after spending the lesson going through the three points above).

the book takes you up to quite complex reading figures before suddenly becomming simple again but introducing a rudiment. then it progresses forward again quickly showing how the sticking pattern applies and soon it is added to the body of knowledge that went before.
it ends on some generic stuff including reggae, jazz independance and comping and lots of triplet application.
this is an essential filler book for the self taught and a great introduction to reading.
i don't often say this of drum books but i am very glad i bought it. more so than the george lawrence stone book even.

OK I will give an old one a shot here....especially since it is re-released on DVD:NAME:
TERRY BOZZIO: Solo DrumsSTAR RATING:
****WORDED RATING:
Great video- ahead of it's time in a wayTARGET AUDIENCE:
Medium to advanced playersPUBLISHED BY:
DCI video ( originally) not sure who has DVD rightsDESCRIPTION:
This video is the begining of many of the techniques Terry Bozzio has come up with and showcases his soloing ability for the most part. Key things that are sovering are basic grip and arm mobility. Practicing various rolls using both hands and feet, Permutations of 16th note soloing phrases and ostinato drum soloing. Bozzio shows solos invloving triplet feels and 16th notes feels utilizing his fett and left hand to 'hold down' the ostinato patterns while soloing with his right hand. He also holds certain patterns with his feet while soloing with both hands. Odd times are discussed somewhat and examples are played in cluding the US Drag groove. I remember when the video came out so many were saying "yeah but how can I apply this stuff?"...well to me anyway ostinatos are used all the time in jazz and rock ...so I find the techinques to be useful in becoming a more well rounded player. Also the Soloing concepts are a grea alternative to a "just blowing chops" style of soloing with little direction . So the idea of using musical themes and playing more musically in general as a drummer I feel was helpful. Seeing other players nowadays like Minneman, Virgil and Lang ....I guess some of these guys might agree. Plus the other thing I liked was being able to see how the guy thought about his playing- something in general I like to see from any Drum video.

Hey guys. I saw a few clips of Weckl's "How to Develop Technique," and it has me wondering about my own hand technique. I wondering what books I can buy to help me develop my hands (grasp different techniques better: Moeller, wrist/finger control, etc.).

Alot of the book are pretty cheap on Amazon, so I'm thinking about getting 2 or 3. Right now I'm looking at Dom Famularo's "It's Your Move," and the supplementary book to Weckl's DVDs, "Exercises for Natural Playing."

In addition to those, I'm wondering about "Stick Control," by George L. Stone and versions 1 and 2 of Joe Morello's "Master Studies."

If anyone can comment on these books (and/or others) it would be helpful. What books would be the best for re-learning the basics of hand technique? I'm at the point now where I feel like I want to go 'back to basics' and really re-learn my technique. Clips of Weckl inspired me, so I'm wondering if I should attempt to follow his examples.

By the way, I currently play matched grip, and have for about 10 years (I'm only 18) but am thinking about working on traditional grip as well.

Review : One of the best books to build up independence and interdependence. Marco takes u step by step evolving independence and interdependence of four limbs. This is actually helping me a lot. still in the first exercise, took me a while to do the warm up exercises, but now the actual exercises are a bit easy. i advice this book to every drummer who intends to make their body a bit more flexible .... drumming wise :)

Thomas Lang - Creative Co-ordination and Advacned Foot Technique

Rating : 4.5/5.0

Review : A very in depth analysis of double bass work and also independence. A matrix system that Lang came up with actually helps prac independece easily. since the matrix is easy to remember and no difficult at all, i think its a nice idea. though it doesnt cover independence over time signatures(which is covered in marco's book) it makes a very good watch and interesting DVD. he covers many aspects of multi pedal orchestrations and diff foot patterns that can be created using simple and already known patterns. The only negative aspect is everyone cant try out the diff MPOs that he shows, but its interesting to see how its done. All in all a good DVD with 7 hrs of footage, a nice watch and plenty to learn from.

__________________
best drummers r the ones who hav time, kits nd hrs of prac on their side, none of them are gods

Does anyone have any opinions on the instructional "Hands, grooves & fills", by Pat Petrillo?

I recently acquired this DVD and I think it is great. It comes with a book, a DVD and a CD which contains files in Mp3 format. All three of these items work well together. I find that many educational tools out there fail because they are too much of an exhibition of the drummer's prowess or, on the other hand, the educational style is simply too uninspiring to work in such a medium. Pat really does a great job of teaching while inspiring you to practise. This is a book about TEACHING - but the examples make you want to play!!

The technique section is very useful in terms of ways to develop control and speed. Note, however, that I think you need to have some basic knowledge before this will be very helpful. This is not for brand newbies because I suspect they may not make it past the warm up exercises. But, Please don't let that put you off - if you are dedicated I am sure you could get some benefits.

The groove section is excellent. It teaches good basic grooves and it teaches some complex grooves with the use of controlled ghost notes as well as displaced snare work. The fills section is also excellent as it breaks down just what technique you need to pull off some stuff that sounds a lot more complex than it is.

Pat is an engaging and passionate teacher and he does a good job in showing you how to find the pocket - and that after is all is the thing that keeps you in work.

This is one of the best educational tools out there - I recommend it highly.

I found this review page and think it is a great idea for a thread. I recently produced a DVD on bass drum technique (not some gimmick, but true bass drum technique for today's music). If one of you would like to review it for this thread, I'd be happy to send you a free copy of it. I know we all like to get free stuff, but I want the person who receives the free DVD to be someone who is truly struggling with their bass drum technique and is sincerely interested in improving it. If that is you, send me an email with your mailing address and a note about your situation. If I get multiple emails from people who sound sincerely interested, I'll send it to the person who touched base first. By the way, receiving the free DVD does not mean you need to give it a good review. You can give it any kind of review you want. I only want honest comments written. Thanks. Keep up the good work with the review thread.

Thanks for the email responses. I knew it would be hard to choose just one person to receive the DVD, and I was right! I've chosen 2 drummers who emailed me. One is a beginner looking for a solid bass drum foundation, and one is an experienced drummer interested in exploring new concepts. That should definitely provide us with 2 different perspectives. Thanks, everyone!

[quote=MattRitter;299797]Thanks for the email responses. I knew it would be hard to choose just one person to receive the DVD, and I was right! I've chosen 2 drummers who emailed me. One is a beginner looking for a solid bass drum foundation, and one is an experienced drummer interested in exploring new concepts. That should definitely provide us with 2 different perspectives. Thanks, everyone!

Matt Ritter[/QUOT
Hey I just bought your DVD, and I am looking forward to learning from it. I have always strugled with my bass drum playing, and I'm looking forward to some help!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to get it and start learning!!!!!!!!!! Thank's

Thanks for buying my DVD. I really hope you enjoy it. As you begin working with it, I want you to keep in mind that 99% of all drum grooves involve just single strokes and double strokes on the bass drum. That's all! I wish I had emphasized that more in my DVD. Singles and doubles! Focus on those 2 techniques, and you'll be in great shape. My video teaches those things, plus a zillion other things, so it can easily get overwhelming. Keep it in perspective, keep it enjoyable, and start by learning singles and doubles. Those 2 techniques can EASILY be learned in a couple of weeks. Anything above and beyond singles and doubles should be considered extra credit for fun. If you ever have any questions, feel free to email me through my website. I'll get your message quickly that way, since I'm not on the forum all the time. Best of luck!

This is a bass drum system that revolves around not buring the beater in the head.

Matt has an analysis of common Bass drum methods.
Talks about heel down, heel up, and how the system uses them in the unburing the beater system.
He covers basic drum setup, practice guldelines, and how to sit and stabilizing yourself at the kit.
Matts discusses pedal adjustments and becoming sensitive to your pedal.
He then goes into detail about single strokes, multiple strokes, fast multiples, doubles, consecutive doubles and "Bonham triplets".
Matt discusses using different parts of the foot, the slide,and gives practicle applications of the system.

The dvd has a FAQ section, and a section on troublshooting.
There is also some other bonus chapters about Matt.

I am a new drummer and this dvd has given me a great game plan to develope my bass drum technique, but I think it would help more than just begginers.
Very good dvd!

I've owned Jim Chapin's Speed, Power, Control, Endurance video for several years, and it's still the best one I've seen for technique. It's helped me more than anything or anyone else. It seems as if I saw that it was supposed to be reissued on DVD with more content. Does anyone know when this is supposed to be out? I love that man.

I have recently bought "Advanced Funk Studies" by Rick Latham, the 25th anniversary DVD. It is very inspirational and It has a lot on rudimental application. I suggest getting the book for it too, to use as reference. It is for all skill levels.
Beginner to advanced.

>

I got the expanded DVD and the book recently.

I think they are excellent for the precise purpose they were written for. They are not about basic rock or jazz. Nor are they straightforward groove primers like Tommy Igoe's excellent Groove Essentials concentrating on a ready made result you can use with further ado. The purpose is facility in playing often complex patterns using mixed single and double strokes plus bass drum. Which is what funk is about! The patterns really do enlarge your vocabulary. But that style of playing does not technically suit basic rock in my view so if that's what you want to play look elsewhere. Also it's not much about the triplet feel of jazz which is another planet. For that sort of pattern look to Jim Chapin and others.

The fact that the book and video have sold for so long I think emphasises their value. You can dip and learn a little hand and foot pattern now and then so it's not too hard work! They tend to stick with you I find so you absorb them subliminally. Watching him do it really adds to the subliminal so for the best you need the book and DVD. Not cheap it's true but worth it for the serious player with a long-term plan to master the damn things called drum kits which look a lot easier to play than they are. Which exercise from which page is given on the screen so you can watch book in hand working through examples from every section.

I particularly enjoyed Rick Latham's description as to how the tutorials came about. He regularly transcribed things leading players like Garibaldi, Purdie and Gadd were doing and used them in classes he taught at a time when the linear funk style was becoming popular. The class expected something new each time. It took off into a book.

I also enjoyed Ed Shaughnessy's remark about how few people at clinics say they practised simply playing groove. He said it's rare for someone to ring a drummer and say "I'd like you on the gig because I've heard you do great solos. I know your time's a little shaky but I'm really looking forward to the solo".

I have recently bought "Advanced Funk Studies" by Rick Latham, the 25th anniversary DVD. It is very inspirational and It has a lot on rudimental application. I suggest getting the book for it too, to use as reference. It is for all skill levels.
Beginner to advanced.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBeyonder

Hey there,

Does anyone here have any experience with Mike Michalkow's Moeller Technique DVD:

I've owned Jim Chapin's Speed, Power, Control, Endurance video for several years, and it's still the best one I've seen for technique. It's helped me more than anything or anyone else. It seems as if I saw that it was supposed to be reissued on DVD with more content. Does anyone know when this is supposed to be out? I love that man.

I've not seen it but you make me want to!

Jim Chapin said somewhere that the reason he can play so well at his age is that he holds the sticks so loosely anyone could lift them out of his hands. I wish someone had told me that a few decades ago. Making the bounce work for you instead of hanging on like grim death in the fashion of people being rescued by firemen down a ladder.

This is a bass drum system that revolves around not buring the beater in the head.

Matt has an analysis of common Bass drum methods.
Talks about heel down, heel up, and how the system uses them in the unburing the beater system.
He covers basic drum setup, practice guldelines, and how to sit and stabilizing yourself at the kit.
Matts discusses pedal adjustments and becoming sensitive to your pedal.
He then goes into detail about single strokes, multiple strokes, fast multiples, doubles, consecutive doubles and "Bonham triplets".
Matt discusses using different parts of the foot, the slide,and gives practicle applications of the system.

The dvd has a FAQ section, and a section on troublshooting.
There is also some other bonus chapters about Matt.

I am a new drummer and this dvd has given me a great game plan to develope my bass drum technique, but I think it would help more than just begginers.
Very good dvd!

Can anyone tell me if this book is geared toward double-bass? Because I am not a double bass player, but really want a book that will help my single-bass technique.

Book: The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary as taught by Alan Dawson
Author: John Ramsay
Rating: # # # # #
Review: I started working on this stuff about 10 months ago and its fantastic. The rudimental ritual will give you a complete grasp of every important rudiment and a few more things that will help develop your chops. The various interpretation ideas for the Syncopation Book (by ted reed) will give you a lot of jazz vocabulary in the simplest way. All you have to do is follow the instructions and work hard on it. Great stuff every one interested in playing jazz needs to get. Alan taught people like Tony Williams, Billy Kilson, Terri Lyne Carrington, Kenwood Dennard and many more.

NAME: PROGRESSIVE STEPS TO SYNCOPATION FOR THE MODERN DRUMMER by TED REEDSTAR RATING:#####WORDED RATING:The more into this book you delve the happier you getTARGET AUDIENCE:Beginner onwards (especially for the reading drummer!)PUBLISHED BY:Alfred publishingDESCRIPTION:The whole book is neatly hand written by a master drum teacher. It was literally the material he used for years of lessons. This book is an absolute must for guys learning to site read or brushing up on their reading skills. The first 32 pages are all about reading and are thorough and progressive. Syncopation only kicks in on page 33… but by then you feel you’ve already had your money’s worth. Still ... Ted gives you loads of stuff to consider in the world of syncopation.

NAME: CROSS-STICKING STUDIES (EXERCISES FOR MOVING AROUND THE DRUMSET)By RON SPAGNARDISTAR RATING:
#####WORDED RATING:This book is simply written, progressive and FUN!TARGET AUDIENCE:
Intermediate onwardsPUBLISHED BY:Modern drummer publicationsDESCRIPTION:If you want to cross stick like Buddy Rich you have to learn how to organise your limbs. This progressive book is simple (only ever showing movement between the small tom, snare drum and floor tom) and progressive. It focuses on a single cross over movement at a time and puts it in various places. What I loved about this book is how soon results appear.

NAME: 1001 DRUM GROOVESBy Steve MansfieldSTAR RATING:
#####WORDED RATING:Very useful as a groove and beat resource and a site reading exercise to boot.TARGET AUDIENCE:
Beginner onwardsPUBLISHED BY:Cherry lane music companyDESCRIPTION:No jokes … there really are 1001 drum grooves in this book neatly organised by genre. Rock and funk (40 pages), blues and jazz (31 pages), ethnic (10 pages), afro-Cuban and Caribbean (20 pages). Sometimes the variation between one and another are slight though but all in all this book is a fantastic resource.

WORDED RATING:
Matt has excellent foot technique. I've yet to see a better description in media that describes this technique in detail. I studied with Rick Steed in CA years ago, and he called the technique "fulcrum foot".

TARGET AUDIENCE:
IMO, the technique is very useful for beginners and Pros alike, regardless of music style.

DESCRIPTION:
Everything from setup to posture and shoes. Matt describes different applications of the method (Triplets, 8ths, 16ths etc) in a articulate manner. I'm not crazy about the pace of the DVD (it drags at some points), and his BD sound is very open and resonant, but the technique he teaches is a must for those wanting to learn. Will it teach you how to heel-toe to QTR=280? No, but it will teach you the proper way to play a Bass Drum....exactly what I was expecting. Thanks, Matt.

I got Matt Ritters Video unburying the beter about 3 months ago, it is worth the money you will spend on it!!!!!!!!!!! Even with limited practice time i've noticed a great deal of change in my playing, my foot feels more in control!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Matt

I noticed that Paul Quin gave input in this thread on Pat Petrillo's "Hands, Grooves, & Fills". I got mine a month ago, and it has really helped me...Here's my review..

I've been playing for about 15 years, and have taken a lot of lessons. I had heard of Pat before, but then I saw his clips here on drummerworld and YouTube....off the chain!...I had to get "Hands, Grooves, & Fills"..it covers everything it says in the title and then some...

He's a monster drummer, smooth and fluid ,with a great feel and pocket, but he's an even better teacher!...Real personable....He gives you step by step lessons on the rudiments, and some excellent hand exercises, which is all about a relaxed rebound. His warmups are really helpful. He developed this Rudiment TAB System, which assigns a TAB symbol to each rudiment which then can be combined into great phrases..

The grooves section has over 50 Play Along tracks., included on the MP3 CD. Many groove based books have a lot of grooves, but they are very similar, one note added or removed. Not this book! Each one is VERY unique and no repeated patterns. Live band as well, playing in a different 'groove style" (Funk R&B, Rock, etc) Its an awesome feeling to jam with a great band. I especially like the "Nawlin' Funk", and "Gospel R&B tracks" !

The fills section is what I was looking forward to seeing. Now I know how to do some movements and phrasings that I have heard others do, but couldn't figure it out. It will take me a minute to work them out, but the DVD shows me some orchestrations and variations from the book. It really is one of the BEST DVD/Books I have in my collection, and I have ALL the Hudson stuff. Its a teaching DVD, and a performance DVD all in one. Quality was great...a couple minor issues with sync locking music to audio..not a big deal...

A DVD/Book/and MP3 CD with Play Alongs for $39.95. WELL Worth it!! 5 Stars!..really..no b.s...

DESCRIPTION: The "Space" theme, INTRO and choice of drum sounds from his Pintech kit are um, funny, but one can't deny the man has KILLER chops. I would have liked to hear more of his playing on a contemporary sounding kit. Tiger Bill goes into detail about tension caused by improper hand/wrist position, full/mid/low strokes, and transitions between. Very good instructor. I would have preferred a better overhead camera view (the one on the DVD was off center) but overall, this DVD (although a bit pricey) is excellent.

NAME: JOJO MAYER - SECRET WEAPONS FOR THE MODERN DRUMMER - A GUIDE TO HAND TECHNIQUE.STAR RATING:
# # # # # #WORDED RATING:
Hilarious and visually educating.TARGET AUDIENCE:
Any levelPUBLISHED BY:
Hudson LtdDESCRIPTION:
If you don't know who Jojo is then I suggest checking him out here (http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/JOJO_Mayer.html). If you do know him, then you will also know that they man is a genius drum 'n bass wizard and a master of technique. He really has made studying technique his speciality and he has even refined some techniques to the point where he quite rightly names them after himself (eg: the mayer/moeller). His teaching explanations are excellent and clear and often voiced over slow motion, CGI visual demonstrations. Potential problems are highlighted and possible solutions are given, including many exercises to help build up your chops. There is a great, balanced amount of philosophy, particularly Jojo's practice quotes at the end of the second disc, which add depth to the whole work. Camera angles and close ups are very well chosen to help you learn. Add to that a great sense of humour, lovely snippets of Jojo drumming in and around New York and nearly perfect presentation throughout and you have, in my opinion, the finest instruction DVD available. This beats Thomas Lang'sincredible DVDs for educational value and is on par with Chad Smiths for charisma. Well done and thank-you Jojo.

NAME: JOJO MAYER - SECRET WEAPONS FOR THE MODERN DRUMMER - A GUIDE TO HAND TECHNIQUE.STAR RATING:
# # # # # #WORDED RATING:
Hilarious and visually educating.TARGET AUDIENCE:
Any levelPUBLISHED BY:
Hudson LtdDESCRIPTION:
If you don't know who Jojo is then I suggest checking him out here (http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/JOJO_Mayer.html). If you do know him, then you will also know that they man is a genius drum 'n bass wizard and a master of technique. He really has made studying technique his speciality and he has even refined some techniques to the point where he quite rightly names them after himself (eg: the mayer/moeller). His teaching explanations are excellent and clear and often voiced over slow motion, CGI visual demonstrations. Potential problems are highlighted and possible solutions are given, including many exercises to help build up your chops. There is a great, balanced amount of philosophy, particularly Jojo's practice quotes at the end of the second disc, which add depth to the whole work. Camera angles and close ups are very well chosen to help you learn. Add to that a great sense of humour, lovely snippets of Jojo drumming in and around New York and nearly perfect presentation throughout and you have, in my opinion, the finest instruction DVD available. This beats Thomas Lang'sincredible DVDs for educational value and is on par with Chad Smiths for charisma. Well done and thank-you Jojo.

I received this video recently, and hadn't had a chance to view it......Simply the best hand technique instruction I've ever seen, including private lessons. The CG illustrations are priceless, and his sense of humor is hilarious.